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Creative assessments address inequalities in students’ performance

A University of East London study found that creative, practice-based assessments improved engagement and eliminated disparities in attainment linked to ethnicity. Students from minoritised backgrounds achieved high pass rates and degrees with traditional exams replaced by authentic assessments.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Why parents should have a bigger say in how schools are run

Research by Ohio State University professor Vladimir Kogan suggests that students and parents have limited representation in school governance, leading to decreased focus on academic achievement. Parents and children make up only 20-35% of the electorate, with most voters prioritizing partisan issues over education.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Smartphone eye photos may help detect anemia in children

Researchers developed a new method that uses simple grayscale eye photos to predict anemia in children. The technique analyzes patterns and textures in the conjunctiva of the eye, avoiding problems caused by different light conditions or camera models.

Georgia’s pre-K program boosts kindergarten readiness

A new study from the University of Georgia found that children who attend school-based pre-K in Georgia start kindergarten with better preparedness than their peers, scoring 6 percentiles higher in reading and math. However, these academic gains fade by fourth grade, raising questions about how to sustain them.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

The experts that can outsmart optical illusions

Researchers found that medical imaging experts can solve common optical illusions, including judging the size of objects. Training to improve visual perception can also make experts less susceptible to these illusions. This study has implications for training medical image analysts.

More than marks: How wellbeing shapes academic success

A world-first study of over 215,000 students found that emotional wellbeing, engagement, and learning readiness are key to performance. Schools must shift towards valuing student wellbeing and academic achievement as integral components of a holistic education.

Creativity boosts NAPLAN literacy and numeracy scores

A University of South Australia study found that students who exhibit higher levels of creativity tend to excel in literacy and numeracy assessments. Higher flexibility in divergent thinking was associated with stronger NAPLAN literacy outcomes, while mathematical creativity was linked to stronger numeracy performance.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

UVA engineering professor will augment his students’ reality this spring

Devin Harris and his team have developed an augmented reality app, STRUCT-AR, that allows students to 'stress test' virtual bridges, beams, frames, and trusses. The app, which is set to be tested this spring, aims to improve students' understanding of structural behavior by providing a more interactive and immersive learning experience.

Belief in growth is key to becoming the best

Researchers at NTNU have developed an 8-item scale assessing growth mindset, which was tested on 723 participants. The study found that the test is suitable for this age group and provides a better scale to measure growth mindset.

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

The AI paradox: Building creativity to protect against AI

A new machine-learning model is providing teachers with access to high-quality, fit-for-purpose creativity tests that can score assessments in a fraction of the time and cost. The algorithm marks a test in a single millisecond, saving teachers thousands of hours.

Computer game in school made students better at detecting fake news

A study by Uppsala University found that a computer game called Bad News improved students' ability to identify manipulative techniques in social media posts and distinguish reliable from misleading news. The game, played individually or in groups, had positive effects on students' critical thinking skills.

Is it the school, or the students?

A recent study by MIT scholars reveals that widely disseminated school quality ratings are heavily dependent on the preparation and family background of their students. The study finds that many schools with low ratings perform better than expected, and conventional ratings are highly correlated with race.

Podcasts and compulsory attendance improved student learning

A study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that using podcasts and compulsory attendance in small seminar groups increased student engagement and confidence. The changes led to a 36% increase in successful exam completion compared to the previous year.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Peer educators play key role in new recipe development and testing

A hybrid home-use testing method involves peer educators evaluating recipes before preparing them, providing insights into their perceptions of the recipe's appearance, taste, and texture. The study shows that this method can be an effective way to evaluate recipes without a controlled laboratory setting.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Researchers find little evidence of cheating with online, unsupervised exams

A recent study by Iowa State University researchers found that individual student scores were slightly higher but consistent with in-person, proctored exams when taking online, unsupervised exams. The results hold true across different academic disciplines, class sizes, and test styles, indicating the validity of these assessments.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Americans’ IQ scores are lower in some areas, higher in one

A new study found evidence of a reverse 'Flynn effect' in the US, with declines in verbal reasoning, matrix reasoning, and letter/number series scores, but an increase in 3D rotation scores. The study suggests that changing values and motivation may be contributing factors.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Cognitive flexibility enhances mathematical reasoning

A study by the University of Geneva finds that adopting multiple perspectives on mathematical problems enhances proportional reasoning. Students who received lessons based on this approach outperformed those in traditional classes, regardless of socio-economic background.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Digital security dialogue

A team of researchers from the University of Tokyo developed a system called DualCheck, which replaces traditional human verification tasks with educational content on online safety and ethics. Trials showed that users responded positively to the experience and felt they gained something from these microlearning sessions.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Parental type 1 diabetes can affect children’s cognitive development

A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that having a parent with type 1 diabetes may be linked to lower school performance in children. The research involved over 622,000 Danish children and suggested a negative association between parental type 1 diabetes and cognitive development.

New Chinese Medical Journal study assesses mortality risk in multimorbid patients

A new study published in the Chinese Medical Journal assessed mortality risk in middle-aged and older Chinese individuals with multiple diseases. The study identified four multimorbidity patterns, with cardiometabolic being the most common, and found that individuals with these patterns had a significantly increased mortality risk.

How do waves form in the sea?

Tel Aviv University researchers develop innovative model that explains wave formation, tested in complex experiments. The model takes into account all unstable harmonics and limitations of previous models, providing high reliability for describing physical situation.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Positive teacher-student relationships lead to better teaching

A new study at the University of Missouri found that positive teacher-student relationships lead to better teaching, as teachers who demonstrate 'soft' skills like kindness and compassion tend to use high-impact teaching practices. Students who feel cared for by their teacher are more motivated to learn and engaged in the classroom.